Improvements in or relating to quantitative analysis of samples

Abstract

A system is provided for improving the quantitative analysis of a sample. The system comprises a device; a data store and processing circuitry configured to operate the system. The device is configured to perform quantitative analysis of bio-macromolecular interactions in solution on a fluid sample to provided quantitative analysis data. The data store stores: personal data relating to a plurality of individuals; and data relating to bio-macromolecular interactions. The processing circuitry is configured to access the data store and identify and retrieve data relevant to the sample; set the parameters under which the quantitative analysis of the sample is performed in the device in dependence upon said retrieved data; perform analysis using a general model to create a predicted result of the quantitative analysis from the device; receive quantitative analysis data of the sample from the device; compare said quantitative analysis received from the device with the predicted result; and update said data store with at least one of the output of the comparison and said received

1 . A system for improving the quantitative analysis of a sample, the system comprising:
 a device configured to perform quantitative analysis of bio-macromolecular interactions in solution on a fluid sample to provided quantitative analysis data;   a data store storing:
 personal data relating to a plurality of individuals; 
 data relating to bio-macromolecular interactions; 
   processing circuitry configured to
 access the data store and identify and retrieve data relevant to the sample; 
 set the parameters under which the quantitative analysis of the sample is performed in the device in dependence upon said retrieved data; 
 perform analysis using a general model to create a predicted result of the quantitative analysis from the device; 
   receive quantitative analysis data of the sample from the device;   compare said quantitative analysis received from the device with the predicted result; and   update said data store with at least one of the output of the comparison and said received quantitative analysis data.   
     
     
         2 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the output of the comparison between the quantitative analysis received from the device and the predicted result is a confirmation of the predicted result. 
     
     
         3 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the output of the comparison between the quantitative analysis received from the device and the predicted result is a deviation from the predicted result. 
     
     
         4 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein circuitry configured to perform said analysis comprises a machine learning algorithm. 
     
     
         5 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the sample is obtained from an individual and wherein the processing circuitry is configured to perform further analysis of the quantitative analysis data received from the device in order to produce clinically relevant data for the patient. 
     
     
         6 . The system according to  claim 5 , wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to update the personal data relating to the individual's sample analysed. 
     
     
         7 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the data relating to bio-macromolecular interactions includes anonymised data from individuals and experimental data. 
     
     
         8 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein each data point in the data store has an associated accuracy score and wherein the step of updating the data store includes updating the accuracy score. 
     
     
         9 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein each predicted result generated by the system has an associated accuracy score. 
     
     
         10 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the data relating to bio-macromolecular interactions includes predicted data based on adjacent data. 
     
     
         11 - 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . The system according to  claim 4 , wherein the machine learning algorithm includes a plurality of specific models relating to clinically relevant outputs such as disease states. 
     
     
         15 . The system according to  claim 4 , wherein the machine learning algorithm is configured such that each quantitative analysis carried out by the device informs both specific and general models. 
     
     
         16 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the quantitative analysis of the sample includes a measurement of affinity of a bio-macromolecular interaction. 
     
     
         17 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the quantitative analysis of the sample includes a measurement of the concentration of a bio-macromolecule of interest within the sample. 
     
     
         18 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the quantitative analysis of the sample includes analysis of the heterogeneity of the sample. 
     
     
         19 . The system according to  claim 4 , wherein the parameters set by the machine learning algorithm include sample preparation parameters. 
     
     
         20 . The system according to  claim 4 , wherein the parameters set by the machine learning algorithm include device conditions. 
     
     
         21 . The system according to  claim 4 , wherein the parameters set by the machine learning algorithm include setting an expectation of the outcome of the analysis. 
     
     
         22 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the device comprises a microfluidic network configured to enable combination and distribution of a sample fluid and an auxiliary fluid to create a distributed sample and subsequent division of the distributed sample into two or more parts and measurement of at least one of the parts. 
     
     
         23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the device is configured to divide the distributed sample into more than two parts and measurement is carried out on each divided part.